Drivers queue for COVID tests at Bondi Beach on Tuesday.Credit:Anna Kucera
Greg Granger,Histopath’s director of strategic operations,said at least 10 of his 50 sites across NSW have reached capacity with supply of test kits running low and the heat putting “unbearable pressure” on staff.
"We are trying to shuffle staff around because we have thousands filling up the testing sites at Mascot and the airport,"he said."We are moving people to different clinics and staff are not coping in hot weather and wrapped in layers of PPE. They are calling in sick. The heat and the demand on the testing clinics is really the perfect storm."
Mr Granger said about 10,000 tests run through Histopath's labs each day are for people travelling interstate and overseas,making up about 20 per cent of all tests processed.
Anyone from NSW,Victoria and the ACT requires a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival into other jurisdictions. This is leading to thousands of people queuing for asymptomatic tests to go on holidays — not because they’re sick.
Scott Morrison was in Bribie Island in Queensland on Tuesday morning.Credit:James Brickwood
NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant urged people without symptoms and who aren’t travelling to use rapid antigen tests instead of taking PCR tests,adding testing clinics need to “prioritise testing for higher value cases with symptoms”.
Ahead of a national cabinet meeting on Wednesday todiscuss mask mandates and the vaccine booster program,Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the time for heavy-handed government mandates is over and backed individuals to make responsible decisions on wearing masks.